Characters
I’d rather imagine a man than know him for sure.
— Alberta Trager • Moonlight and Valentino
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker prefers picturing a man to learning who he truly is. Imagination can keep him ideal and unspoiled, while certainty risks disappointment. The line admits a wary, romantic preference for fantasy over the messier reality of actually knowing someone.
Context reviewed